Study shows widespread global opposition to US drone attacks

Air Force Airman 1st Class Justin Cole communicates with the pilot of an unmanned aerial vehicle prior to a night mission in Pakistan.

Jonathan Snyder/Courtesy US Air Force

Stars and Stripes

Published: June 13, 2012

Seventeen out of 20 countries polled mostly disapprove of U.S. drone strikes that attack and kill extremists, according to recent findings from the Pew Research Center.

Even long-time American allies like Britain, Germany and Japan have majorities that disapprove of the drone strikes, at 47, 59 and 75 percent, respectively.

The strike tactic is extremely unpopular in Muslim countries, where most of the bombings take place.

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Egypt, Jordan and Turkey featured disapproval results between 81 and 89 percent.

Afghanistan, Pakistan and Somalia have blamed the U.S. for civilian casualties as a result of frequent drone missions. Those nations were not included in the sample size.

The U.S. was the only country with a positive percentage, at 62. More specifically, 74 percent of Republicans approve of the strikes, compared to 60 percent of independents and 58 percent of Democrats.